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Skates On The Bay

3.5 (3.3k reviews)
Closed • 11:30 am - 10:00 pm
Updated 1 month ago

Order Skates On The Bay Takeout or Delivery

Skates On The Bay Photos

SKATES ON THE BAY ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Romantic
Moderate noise
Happy hour specials
Good for groups

Recommended Reviews - Skates On The Bay

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Reviews With Photos

Fried Banana Split
Isabel D.

The view is the winner here. Our family dined at Skates on the Bay on a Sunday evening around sunset, and it was beautiful. Service was great. We had a reservation, and were seated fairly quickly for a busy weekend evening. Our waitress was attentive and friendly. The food was delicious. Our whole family loved the burrata and prosciutto - the portion size was perfect for our family of 4. I ordered the miso cod, my husband and eldest both ordered the prime rib, my youngest had the kid's grilled chicken, and we ordered the steamed Dungeness crab cluster as a side. For dessert, I had the fried banana split. 10/10 would come here again.

Grilled Mahi Mahi with tomato and asparagus relish
Cheryl R.

The location was prime on the bay looking toward the Golden Gate Bridge. Our large group of 13 enjoyed a fun evening at this seafood restaurant. It was upscale but not fussy. Service was good considering there were 3 large parties in our room. The clam chowder and lobster bisque were standout starters. My king salmon was tender and flavorful. The lemongrass black rice risotto was outstanding. Pesto shrimp was good, not great. I sampled the linguini with prawns and grilled Mahi Mahi and both were delicious. The Amalfi cocktail was not only pretty but unique with passion fruit purée and Aperol. I would definitely dine here again.

Private party
Rachel M.

Skates on the Bay did an overall nice job with my in-laws' 50th anniversary! There were some snafus with the initial reservation due to staff turnover but we eventually got the contract finalized. They have beautiful bay views, tasty entrees, and a private event room in the heart of the restaurant. The day of coordinators/servers were also very helpful during the event and brought everything out in a timely fashion. The guests raved about the event and had a lovely time. I also liked my prawn linguini and key lime pie. I also enjoyed the happy hour with friends in the past. Recommend having your event here!

Beautiful Bay View
D. Reneé B.

Skates on the Bay - Berkeley, CA Beautiful views, but the service didn't match the setting. I visited on a Monday evening with my cousin who always makes it a point to come here when she's in town. Since we didn't have a reservation, we sat in the bar area. After being seated, it took about 20 minutes before we were able to order. The bartender was kind and helped get things started, but service throughout the visit felt slow and a bit unwelcoming. Water and bread weren't brought out until we asked, and after placing our order, there was very little follow-up. We ended up waiting over an hour before asking for the check. We ordered The Unveiling, which had a beautiful presentation but leaned heavily on the tequila. The Crab & Avocado Roll was a highlight -- fresh Dungeness crab and great flavor. The updated focaccia-style bread was also a nice touch. The view of the bay, with both bridges visible, continues to be the standout here. One thing to note: parking is now paid. Overall, while the food and views still have their appeal, the service during this visit took away from the experience.

Lobster Bisque Bowl
Maria M.

First of all, the ambiance here is always so beautiful. Sitting by the bay with the big windows just feels so nice and relaxing, definitely a first-class vibe. The food is always amazing, and the service today was excellent . Our server, Jonathan, was super attentive, professional, and just made us feel really taken care of. We come here a lot, but today was extra special, we were celebrating my dad's 91st birthday. Jonathan made it feel really special and they even brought out a creme brulee with a candle, which was such a sweet touch. We ordered the fish and chips, prime rib sandwich, a lobster dish, and the Asian fusion filet tacos everything was so good and cooked to perfection. We also had a few glasses of wine, it was just a perfect lunch. This place never disappoints. Always a great experience. If you're in the area, you should definitely check it out and ask for Jonathan, he's the best!

View from my table
Sandy N.

The restaurant is beautiful. It's literally on the bay. There's plenty of parking. I came by to get food to go. I had a $25 bday coupon to use. So I got the fish and chips. And a bowl of clam chowder. The fish stayed crispy and it was cooked perfectly. It was served with some lemon wedges and house made tartar sauce. The soup was good. I didn't really care for the fries. They were ok. There's a lot of happy hour/lunch specials. I've never been here any other time. This would be a great place to go to before the sunset. Great service from the hostess who took my order. She also brought me my food and asked if I needed utensils. On the way to the restaurant, you'll probably see a bunch of wild turkeys running around.

Shrimp Prawns Linguine Pasta
Robert B.

This place blew my mind. Went out for a fishing trip with my buddies and ate here for dinner! The food was incredible and the ambiance was even better! Definitely be back!

Dungeness crab and shrimp linguine
Mary M.

Great experience from the moment we walked in, it was my birthday lunch my son told the hostess it was our first time at Skates, they wanted us to have an all around experience & so we did! We started off with a Pinot Noir and I had a martini ordered the calamari and artichokes so delishthen asked our waiter Antonio for suggestions I went with my first choice his pick as well I had the cciapino omg with the bread for dipping and my son had the seafood pasta, we wanted to share each others plates so the waiter suggested to split our dishes and we both experienced a happy tummy, the vibe was perfect not overly noisy. And the views were stunning! To end our meal Antonio brought me a crème brûlée dessert with a candle and we shared it! What a show and experience as our waiter said it would be! I'll be going back for date night. Kudos all the way around

Micah M.

Excellent view. Attentive service. Private parking lot. The food was good but not great. I would return and try something else.

Caesar Salad
Janae H.

On Christmas Day, I decided to dress up and take myself on a solo dinner date. The holidays can be hard when your immediate family is out of state, so I was really looking forward to a peaceful meal with a beautiful waterfront view. Although I arrived about 20 minutes late, I called ahead and confirmed that I would still be seated by the window. I was told yes. When I arrived, I was seated quickly--but unfortunately not by the window. Instead, I was placed near the kitchen, where it was loud with constant clanking and servers rushing back and forth. There were plenty of open window tables, and I arrived about 40 minutes before closing. When I asked the host for a better seat and pointed out the open tables, I was told those were reserved for larger parties. That was disappointing, especially since I had already confirmed the seating over the phone. Once seated, service continued to fall short. No water was offered, and I waited for quite a while before finally stopping someone walking by to ask for it. My waiter didn't come to the table for another 10-15 minutes and seemed rushed and anxious, offering very short responses when I asked questions. The timing of the food was off. My Caesar salad came before my appetizer, then the appetizer, then the bread. The wine I ordered didn't arrive until I was halfway through my appetizer, even though the bread and wine should have come first. The calamari was the highlight--zesty, flavorful, and honestly a 10/10. The salad was fine but unremarkable; I expected something more elevated from an upscale restaurant. The steak and mashed potatoes arrived lukewarm, and while I cleared my own plates to make space, no one came to remove them. My water glass sat empty until I asked for a refill. The main course was very mid--honestly comparable to something you'd get at Denny's or IHOP, not a higher-end restaurant. With an appetizer, three-course meal, and crème brûlée for dessert, the total came to $115. Despite the poor service, I still left a $30 tip. Maybe solo diners don't get the same attention. Maybe the seating location made it hard for staff to notice me. Maybe my waiter was having a rough day. Whatever the reason, the experience didn't match the price point or reputation. I wanted this to be a special solo holiday dinner, but unfortunately it fell short. Do better.

A view from a window seat.
Glenda W.

The food and drinks were amazing while looking out the window, watching the ways. Enjoying chatting with my classmate friend. The waiter was on point during our visit. The water views of the Bay Bridge and Golden Gate are a thing of beauty. I will be returning!

Eggnog crème brûlée
John D.

Food: 5 stars Ambiance 4 stars Service: 5 stars My partner and I came here for his company's holiday dinner. Our party of about 25 people was set up in a private room. An appetizer buffet was set up with coconut shrimp, sushi rolls, bruschettas, artichoke dip, and a cheese/fruit platter. There was a three course menu for the evening with a couple of choices for each course. First course was choice b/w Lobster bisque or wedge salad The second course was a 13 oz prime rib, fettuccine alfredo with shrimp and crab, or rosemary chicken with couscous. The dessert course was eggnog crème brûlée or a mint chocolate cake. We had the lobster bisque, prime rib, and crème brûlée. Each dish was very well prepared and delicious. The bisque was a bit salty but still tasty. The service was excellent, rent attentive and responsive. Based on people's ratings I didn't give skates a chance but I'm glad we got to experience it. I'll be back for the prime rib!

View from our table
Karen W.

We had open table reservation and got a beautiful view of the bay from our table. The place was busy with holiday gatherings. We had their delish buttery garlic bread and a humungous dish of crispy calamari so light and crispy, crab and artichoke dip with bread. For entrees two ordered the shrimp and crab linguini, seared kalbi bao buns and I ordered the steamed clams and split a caesar salad with one of my friends. The clams were fine except they added chili flakes to the broth and it was too much kick for me. For dessert we shared creme brulee delish, key lime pie and the fried banana split that came with yummy toppings! Service was somewhat attentive but only one server in our area and he was quite busy

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Skates On The Bay Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Skates On The Bay

Is there garage parking nearby?

No garage nearby. Lots of parking in their lot. A sign says do not leave valuables in sight. Lock your car.

What kind of cooking oil(s) used?

I'm not sure. If you call the restaurant, they should be able to tell you.

Is fish and chips still on the menu?

It is on the lunch menu.

When does dinner menu open?

Our dinner menu is available all day.

Hi I'm looking for a place to have a birthday party for my dad and was interested if you can provide information and pics of space for private events?…

Hello Carol, please visit https://www.skatesonthebay.com/private-events/ to inquire about hosting a private event. Thank you.

Do you accept Discover?

Hi Andrea, Discover cards are accepted at our establishment. Thank you!

Do staff wear masks?

Hello. The health and safety of our guest and staff is our top priority, however here at Skates we do not require the staff to wear masks as we stay following the local county regulations, it is the staff and guest's choice to wear a mask or not.

Does the restaurant still require proof of vaccination?

Nope. They didn't ask.

Are you open during week? I'm trying to make reservations for Monday 5/23 but am unable to. Just want to confirm you are open on 5/23.

Yes they are open during the week for both lunch and dinner.

What is the parking options....private lot.,,street parking?

They have an unsecured parking lot but I wouldn't feel comfortable parking there at night. They haven't figured out that having a guard would actually increase their business. From the amount of broken window glass in the lot, you take your chances.

Does this restaurant ask for vaccine records or other private medical information as a condition for dining?

We were asked for proof of vaccination and identification on our last visit on February 19, 2022. Figured I would include the exact date since information is always changing.

Thanks for the replies. We made a trip there and they are booked until Tuesday after Valentine's Day. Luckily we caught sunset. -…

I can not confirm if they are open, however I can confirm that there is no outside porch seating. I suggest trying Scott's in Jack London. Better food, pretty view, outdoor seating.

Is there a dress code? Would someone be turned away wearing a baseball cap?

Nooooo! This is California! 😆 I would recommend dress smart to please yourself but that is it.

Does skates have outdoor seating?

No, it does not but it doesn't need it because the views are great!

Do you do $1 oysters for happy hour or on a certain day of the week?

New update on covid requirements?

Proof of vaccination required and masks when you walk in until seated.

Is there outdoor seating?

Hi Peggy, We do not have outdoor seating at Skates.

Do they require proof of vaccination for dining?

Yes alameda mandated the proof of the vaccination card and it is required to have your I.D

Do you have a brunch menu?

Yes they do! I think there were about 7 items on the brunch menu.

Do I need make a reservation ahead of time?

They do prefer reservations, and I would suggest so because they can get pretty busy. Sometimes it's a long wait without reservations.

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Iyasare - Assorted nigiri

Iyasare

(984 reviews)

$$$

Fourth Street, West Berkeley

Started with a drink and the iyasare kakiage tempura which has burdock root, onion, sweet potato,…read moreshiitake, enoki, carrot, shungiku, and bonito soy dipping sauce. Highly recommend the iyasare kakiage tempura, wish it had some less sweet potatoes and more of the other ingredients, but overall it was savory and very sweet from the sweet potatoes. I enjoyed the kara-age curry rice which is a japanese style fried chicken thighs in a tokyo style curry sauce, a small salad, and koshihikari rice. They gave sooooo much kara-age chicken and it was quite filling. Good dish to share with others. Lastly, we had to try the iyasare mentaiko pasta which is a spicy cod ros, spaghetti, ikura, shiso, and kaiware. It's quite heavy and creamy, but definitely worth trying if you like the ingredients!

Saw this on the Michelin Guide so wanted to give it a try. On the edge of Berkeley, the location…read moreand ambience makes it a nice spot for a date. The food itself was solid, with the best dishes being the Chef's Recommended tuna tartare and branzino. The rolls were fine, nothing out of the ordinary. While the dishes were enjoyable, the price was on the more expensive side. For the quality of the food ultimately it's difficult to say that it's entirely worth it. For a dinner for two, you're looking northward of $150 and while that's fairly common in the Bay, you can find better restaurants at that price point.

Homeroom Berkeley

Homeroom Berkeley

(258 reviews)

$$

West Berkeley

When I'm deciding where to eat, mac and cheese is almost never the first thing that comes to mind…read more It's usually more of a side dish than the main event. But this place completely changed that for me. Their mac and cheese comes out hot, steamy, and loaded with flavor, comfort food turned into something way more exciting. What really stands out is how creative the combinations are; it's not just cheese and pasta, it's layers of texture and bold flavor that keep me coming back. The buffalo chicken mac is a standout. It arrives with this crispy, golden breadcrumb topping that adds the perfect crunch. Pro tip, if you're getting it for takeout or delivery, the steam softens the topping in the container, so you miss out on that contrast. It's definitely best enjoyed fresh, in person, when that crunch is at its peak. Then there's the elote mac, which brings a totally different vibe. The bits of corn add little pops of sweetness throughout, and the slices of lemon on top are a game changer. A quick squeeze cuts through the richness of the cheese and oil, balancing everything out in a really satisfying way. I'm lactose intolerant, and that should be a dealbreaker here, but this is one of those rare exceptions where I'm willing to deal with the consequences.

Had our usual Macs: Jalapeño Popper Mac - 7*…read moreElote Mac - 5* (Wish there were more Vegetarian Mac choices in the Mac Trio) Good service and Nice ambiance!!

Skates On The Bay - seafood - Updated May 2026

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